The South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) has cancelled all the Bor football games played from October 20, 2021, to date, citing a breach of the country’s football governing body’s orders.
In September 2021, the Bor Local Football Association (BLFA) board members suspended its president for alleged mismanagement of the association’s fund.
However, the SSFA leaders said, as the country’s governing body, they were not informed about any intention of suspending BOLFA.
On October 6, 2021, SSFA wrote to BOLFA for clarification on the suspension of the president.
“On behalf of the SSFA administration, I would like to express my profound gratitude to you and the entire football family. The SSFA administration has received the suspension letter from the BOLFA President, whereby the administration was not aware of any process being done by BOLFA. “
“I would like to bring to your attention that the Secretariat needs a clarification on the suspension letter issued on 30th, September within two (2) days from the date of this letter,” the statement read in part.
However, BOLFA did not respond to SSFA immediately.
Again, on October 22, 2021, the SSFA ordered the BOLFA to suspend all football activities until an investigation committee was formed to look into the issue within the association.
“As per the directive of the President of the South Sudan Football Association to form a committee to oversee the problem in your association, we are hereby ordering the suspension of all activities in BOLFA until the investigation committee arrives in Bor for its findings as soon as possible.”
However, the BOLFA continued with their South Sudan Cup l activities as normal, and as a result, the games have even reached the semi-finals.
In their press conference, on Wednesday, at the SSFA headquarters, the SSFA deputy president Charles Udwar revealed that BOLFA had submitted a late apology letter and that SSFA considered their apology but ordered its administration to replay all the games.
He said based on the report of the SSFA Investigation Committee, and an apology letter from the Board of Directors of Bor Local Football Association, the Board of Directors of the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) deliberated and approved the following resolutions.
Part of the resolution was that SSFA had lifted the suspension of Bor Local Football Association activities with immediate effect.
“But all the matches played in Bor Local Football Association as from 20th, October 2021 are considered null and void. Therefore, considered cancelled,” Udwar said,
SSFA directed the Board of Directors of Bor Local Football Association to lift the suspension of the President of Bor Local Football Association, including the Secretary, with immediate effect as from November 22, 2021.
“The organising committee of Bor Local Football Association is directed to draw a new fixture for the matches played during the suspension period including the remaining ones with a copy of the fixtures being sent to SSFA Secretariat with immediate effect before resumption.”
The SSFA Board of Directors strongly warned the Vice President and Secretary of Bor Local Football Association against violating SSFA directives and media reporting, threatening disciplinary action if such behaviour was repeated.
Mr Udwar said the SSFA has planned to summon the Bor Local Football Federation President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer in Juba for a meeting at an appropriate time.
“The Board of Directors of Bor Local Football Association and the General Secretariat of SSFA shall strictly implement this resolution.”